How do you catch a falcon?

A:

Quick Answer

The bal-chatri, a trap that consists of a noose-covered cage, is the most common type of trap used to catch falcons. When trapping falcons, take care to protect the bird's safety. Some locales require licenses before the trapping of any birds of prey. You may also need permission from the landowner if you are trapping falcons on private land.

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Find the right location

Scout possible locations for trapping falcons by noticing birds perched on telephone wires, especially in the early morning when the birds are roosting. If you are scouting from the road, drive past the birds as you scout, since stopping a car near them may cause falcons to fly away.

Set your trap

Secure bait in your bal-chatri trap. Live bait is most attractive to falcons; try to find rodents or small birds that are typically part of the diet of falcons in the area where you are setting your trap. Drive toward the falcon, then toss the trap out of the car window without stopping.

Watch the falcon as it approaches the trap

Drive a distance away and watch the bird through binoculars. Waiting for a falcon to approach a trap requires a lot of patience. Once the bird is standing on the trap, watch through your binoculars for signs of the bird flailing or trying unsuccessfully to fly. These signs mean the bird has been trapped.

Retrieve the falcon

Approach the trap carefully. Cover the falcon with a towel. Be careful as you hold it; although it is likely to go limp, it is still able to bite. Free the bird's feet from the trap, put on jesses and anklets and secure the bird in a box containing a perch for transport. Release the bird immediately if you are not interested in keeping it.